The 19-year-old defenceman was selected 23rd in last year's draft. Pysyk captained the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League in 2010-11, registering six goals and 34 assists in 63 games.

"Mark is a very intelligent hockey player who has played in all situations in junior," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said in a release. "He is a very strong skater with good puck moving abilities, and is developing into a very solid two-way defenceman."

The Edmonton native, who rebounded from a foot injury in 2009-10, scored 19 goals and 68 assists in 187 career games with the Oil Kings.